419 scam: "Mr. Tan Wong" <tanwong@gmail.com> FROM: MR. TAN WONG

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to your nominated bank account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "hundred thousand united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "30% for you " (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- tanwong71@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Tan Wong" <tanwong@gmail.com>
Reply-To: tanwong71@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2011 09:50:24 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: FROM: MR. TAN WONG

FROM: MR. TAN WONG
(tanwong71@gmail.com)

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. Tan Wong director of
operations of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an obscured business
suggestion for you. Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Major C, who
was with the Iraq forces and also business man made a numbered fixed
deposit for 1 calendar months, with a value of Twenty Four millions Five
Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only in my branch. Upon maturity
several notices was sent to him, even during the war. Again after the war
another notification was sent and still no response came from him. We
later found out that the Major and his family had been killed during the
war in bomb blast that hit their home. After further investigation it was
also discovered that Major Fadi Basem did not declare any next of kin in
his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. And he
also confided in me the last time he was at my office that no one except
me knew of his deposit in my bank. So, Twenty Four millions Five Hundred
Thousand United State Dollar ($24, 500, 000, 00) is still lying in my bank
and no one will ever come forward to claim it. What bothers me most is
that according to the laws of my country at the expiration 8 years the
funds will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong Government if nobody
applies to claim the funds. Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is
that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Major
Fadi Basem so that you will be able to receive his funds.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE?

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall
come out successful. I will contact my attorney to prepare the necessary
document that will back you up as the next of kin to Major Fadi Basem ,all
that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your
Full Names and Address so that the attorney can commence his job. After
you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also file in for
claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of
probate in your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be
provided by you. There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are
going to adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the
necessary documents. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all
matters concerning this issue. Once the fund have been transferred to your
nominated bank account we shall share in the ratio of 65% for me, 30% for
you and 5% will be use to pay back any partner at the ending of the
transfer for any money spent in the process of the transfer. Should you be
interested please send me your full names and current residential address
and I will prefer you to reach me on this email address
(tanwong71@gmail.com) which is my private email address and finally after
that i shall provide you with more details of this operation.

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Regards,
Mr. Tan Wong.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam